Hello fam,

Use to have a first gen Acura CL.. currently have a 2012 accord 6x6.

was planning to look at some RDX this week and was wondering if there is anything to really look out for on inspection. Also wanted to introduce my self to the forum if indeed I do get the vehicle ill be probable spending most of my time here again like back in the day.

the model I'm looking at is a 2007 tech in blue. It has the roof rack installed, and the step runners. its has 110,000 miles and going for 8k in the NY area. The history of the vehicle shows that it spent most of its life in Florida, then a little time in MASS, before being bought by the dealer in NY.

This will be the first turbo car I have ever owned, and any advise would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks for your time, and hope to be speaking with you guys on a regular basis..

 

Don't be intimidated by the turbo - maintenance is really the same as any other car, and the most important thing you'll want to see before buying. Make sure all normal maintenance has been done. At that age and mileage, look for all fluids to have been replaced at least once (coolant, brake, power steering, etc) If the 14 year old car is still somehow rocking the original coolant, then set aside money for a new radiator. Spark plugs should have also been done by now - if not then plan for that as well.

The one big thing is a bolt on the turbo actuator that tends to wear down around 150k miles. Not on every car, but certainly common enough. Search for "P2263" on the forum and read through the long thread on it - you'll see how to inspect the bolt for wear, and how to replace it if/when it does go bad. If it's something you think are you are comfortable doing yourself (I'm average at best at DIY stuff, and it took me 2 hours), then full steam ahead. Otherwise a shop will want to turn it into a much most expensive repair.

 

thanks for the reply and i will look at all the things you have listed.. also very comfortable ripping apart the engine and putting it back together.. been doing it on the j's for years.. this will also be my first k series car!!!

also is there any threads comparing the first gen with the third gen? since they are both turbo engines??

 

I'll give you my quick $0.02 here since I drive a 1st gen but recently had a 3rd gen as a loaner. From an experience standpoint the 3rd gen has WAY more technology in it, and things like the infotainment system have a much steeper learning curve. You have to enjoy lots of tech in your life to enjoy it, I personally hated it and couldn't wait to give the 3rd gen loaner back. The improved bass response of the soundsystem was the only thing I liked better about the entertainment system, even though it is superior on paper.

Additionally, the 10 speed transmission is less fun (imo) to use with the paddle shifters, since you have to downshift 2-4 gears to get into your peak power range when passing vs 1-2 gears on the 1st gen. I love that the 1st gen lets you access 1st gear without overriding your choice automatically like the 3rd gen does. If you never like using the sport shift it probably won't make a difference, but after having my RDX for a couple years and a 2nd gen 3.2TL with a similar sport shift on its 5AT for years prior, I really appreciate this type of transmission over the newer 10 speeds.

The 3rd gen has the same engine setup as the 2.0T accord, and some folks on our 3rd gen RDX forum and the accord forums have done some impressive performance mods to their 2.0T engines, including swapping in the turbo from the Civic Type R. Seems like that engine has more modding potential in addition to putting out more HP in its stock configuration. The aftermarket parts market for the 1st gen has also dried up a bit since its now a ~10 year old model.

Hope this helps.

 

If you know your way around an engine in general, I think you'll find the 1st gen RDX pretty easy to work on. The top-mount intercooler can sometimes be a pain to remove and reinstall, but in general there's a good amount of room in the engine bay to get some wrenching done.

 

Thanks for the reply I test drove the first gen last week loved it.. especially since its also in blue.. and the downshifts remind me of my 2012 6x6 accord.. quick and to the point.. only thing is the brakes looked very rusty and idk if it was from the brakes but i heard a rubbing noise. Plus the back up camera wasn't working and it had aftermarket rims that looked dumb up close. All of these problems are quick fixes, but I'm looking for better examples before making my choice.

After that though i went and test drove a 2021 rdx.. what was cool is he let me leave with it so i got to TEST drive it by myself and really get in it. Even though it was quick it felt like i had to hunt for the gears.. also sometimes it was upshifting for me.. i couldn't figure out out to turn that off.. also the infotainment even though i like to look and feel and i understand why Acura did it, will take a while to get use to.. However I loooooved the panoramic roof.. and overall it feels like double the size of the first gen.. so I'm still up in the air.. but I'm leaning more toward the first gen.

yeah I'm the type of person who loves to upgrade cars so.. I'm hoping i can get lucky with some of those aftermarket parts.. by checking heal and toe some are still available.. others you really just gotta luck out.. so eh.. but we will see.

 

Even-though I was eyeing 2 blue RDX's, I found a sweet black 08, close by me with the front kit on, with 70k miles. Checking it out tomorrow... If all goes well and its not a scam, I will be part of the family... crossing fingers!!!

 

So I went and checked it out..

Cons:
1. in person the paint on the fenders looks off..
2. the frontbumper missing a lot of clips.. the under clips were not even held on with clips or zip ties. but with barbed wire lol..
3. it had the oem lip kit.. but it had 4 screws in the front to hold it to the bumper.. prob after the accident (im assuming) they got a new bumper to drill the lip kit in.
4. the car smelt like someone just smoked in it.. ask the guy if he smoked he said his niece smoked in car..
5. the guy barely new nothing about the car I had to find the radio code for him in the manuals on the glove.. I was using sport mode and the paddles and he wanted me to teach him.. then he wanted me to tell him about boost.. since I was looking at the gauge to see if it was going up . I told him some nonsense on that one.
6. the engine bay looked like Mikey mouse had moved in.. and you can smell the rat urine..

pro:

it was 64000 miles.
car drives good.
stock 19s..
brand new fog lights hence why I think it was changed for accident..
oem lip kit makes the car look waaaay better..

I told him I'll call him.. but I'm gonna hold out for better example
6.

 

Also worth your time to push for maintenance history IMO.

 

yeah most def..

I'm going back to the blue one I originally looked that.. the car fax shows it's done consistent maintenance at Acura dealers throughout its life.. the current dealer replaced the ugly rims I originally saw and put the stock 18s.. Also he fixed the back up camera.. so I might end up with that one.. we will see next week

 

Good luck on the buy Alex Acura and good graphic Easy Love RDX.

 

thanks bro.. yeah that pic was from my 98 cl.. that i painted navy blue.. miss that car.. only prob it wasnt manual..

Also been following your car on these threads nice build!!!!

i missed out on the 07 blue one that was in long island.. went the day of my appointment to do one more highway test drive and buy.. had the money and all that.. Pulled up to lot and the car is gone. dealer is like oh someone came and got it today. drove a hour for nothing. hes like "you can look at something else" and i was like no thanks.. soo upset..

the blues are soooo rare.. found another one way under the price.. but at 150k miles .. im gonna check it out on wed.. if its good i might just get it..

 

Did u consider MDX, I think it has much better ride in term of noise and suspension, also 6 cylinder is more reliable.

 

well I already have my 2012 accord v6x6.. so i wanted to get something other than jseries..and the upgrading potential looks fun on these Turbo K's..

Went to get another blue one last wed.. i got in the car ready to go pick up.. call the dealer and they already sold it. smh

Next one I see in area i gotta put down a deposit before even visiting, if they will let me..